In the translation industry, production rates are a fundamental aspect to ensure that processes run smoothly and to ensure that all professionals involved have the time and resources necessary to perform their work properly, which in turn will result in optimum quality in the projects managed. However, as is well known, this sector is ruled by strictly competitive deadlines as it is often the case that clients require the localization of their content in very narrow time windows. This can have an impact on translation agencies and freelancers, as every LSP must have an appropriate strategy in place to deal with such assignments and ensure satisfactory results, otherwise the end product may suffer. In Tips for streamlining urgent assignments, we provide a series of protocols for this type of situations and the challenges they entail. Besides, another factor that can affect production rates is the extension of the assignments, in other words, high word volumes. In the industry, there is the assumption that a translator can translate approximately 2,000 words a day. However, we know that this is a very generic amount, as the translation rate can vary considerably depending on other parameters, such as the field of specialization, the degree of specialization, the professional’s experience in this type of text, etc. Therefore, management teams must assess the human resources at hand while managing any order, as well as the resources that are available to them. This situation can get even more complex when we receive projects involving a high word count and, adding to that, there are delivery deadline limitations. Which is the best option to organize the teams? How can we manage to deliver on the requested date? What key aspects can we clarify for similar future projects? In today’s article, we sum up a few tips for managing high translation volumes.
Firstly, we must clearly understand the nature of the assignment and its requirements. It will very likely be a specialized material for which we need specific professionals and, of course, we need to create a workflow where we provide enough time for each task. In many cases, word volumes are so high compared to the proposed delivery date that management teams must consider splitting the assignment between two or more translators. We know that, in general, working with a single translator is ideal, but reality often imposes its own needs. When this happens, we must not forget to assign one of these translators (or a third party) the role of unifying possible terminological or stylistic aspects, an essential task that will serve to make the final product consistent throughout. Along this strategic line, it should be noted that every piece of the puzzle has the same relevance. Although we may think that translators’ time should be prioritized as much as possible, the professionals in charge of revision, monolingual proofreading or quality control need a sufficient margin of time so that the results of their work are not compromised. Moreover, to work within safe limits, we must have all these aspects confirmed before offering our services to the client. What happens if we commit to a delivery date and the only specialized reviewer at hand cannot finish their task on time? Finally, it is important to highlight the role of management tools as a centralizing resource that allows all the information to be organized and the status of orders in progress to be monitored.
Another strategy with great long-term value is the implementation of automatic translation, a resource that is requested and used more every day. As we explain in Automatic translation applications, this solution allows us to streamline translation processes with specific text types.
https://montero-ls.com/automatic-translation-applications/ In addition, if we have translation memories and update them, we can create a corpus of the work we are doing and checking, so that when we receive similar projects, the AT tool engines will produce translations based on proven results so we can move forward more quickly and with greater confidence. Along the same lines, we can highlight the usefulness of working with glossaries or terminology bases, which will allow translators to consult and record direct equivalences to ensure consistency throughout the product.
Another key factor to manage the most extensive projects successfully is the establishment of suitable communication channels. Ideally, translator must be able to get in touch (via chat services, shared documents, etc.) to consult any doubts without the need for middlemen and progress more rapidly as regards the translation. Likewise, it is essential that information between translation and management teams, and even with the client, run smoothly. Doubts that creep up or setbacks that arise are a daily occurrence in the translation industry. Therefore, it is crucial to keep all parties informed to find the most suitable solutions.
On the other hand, if you are reading this article from the client’s perspective, we believe it can be useful to highlight a series of aspects involved in the management and completion of these assignments. To begin with, we recommend a search for specialized and trustworthy translation service providers, as projects with a high word volume are very sensitive and errors can easily occur in inexperienced hands. Furthermore, it is always welcome to have materials forwarded by the client (prior translations, glossaries, etc.) which help to understand the client’s style and expectations. In the same way as we mentioned in the last point, we must place value on the issue of communication, since the smoother it is, the better solutions we will find in competitive time frames. And finally, we urge all clients to understand the translation process and to ask questions about it, as quality translations must be thoroughly checked to ensure optimal results.
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